Pumas edge out Scotland
Martin Rodriguez's late drop-goal gave Argentina a 9-6 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.
By Graeme Mair
Last Updated: 29/11/09 11:47am
Martin Rodriguez's late drop-goal gave Argentina a 9-6 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.
Rodriguez kicked all the points as the Pumas overturned a 6-0 half-time deficit to inflict the first defeat of Andy Robinson's reign as Scotland head coach.
Having seen off Fiji and Australia in his opening two games, Robinson looked on course to mastermind a third straight win as his side dominated the first half.
But they had only two Phil Godman penalties to show for their efforts and Argentina stormed back into the contest after the break, Scotland's cause not helped by the sin binning of Nathan Hines.
Rodriguez slotted a pair of penalties to bring his side level before landing the winning drop-goal with just two minutes left on the clock.
Strong start
Twice in the opening exchanges promising attacks from Scotland ended with them being pulled up for holding on in the tackle after the ball carrier had become isolated.
Argentina had the first chance to open the scoring but Rodriguez scuffed a long-range penalty attempt, Allan Jacobsen having been penalised for resorting to foul means to free himself from an opponent's clutches in a rolling maul.
Godman made no such mistake in the 14th minute with a more straightforward chance from just to the left of the posts, although the fly-half's effort only went over via the upright.
The home side were enjoying all the possession and territory but failed to threaten the try-line.
Godman missed a couple of tough penalty chances from out wide to add to his side's three-point advantage as Argentina's approach at the breakdown tested the patience of referee Alan Lewis.
The Edinburgh stand-off did manage to slot his second penalty in the 35th minute to double Scotland's lead to 6-0, the scoreline remaining unchanged through to half-time, scant reflection of the hosts' superiority to that point.
And the momentum turned when Scotland suffered a double blow early in the second half, losing Rory Lamont to injury and Hines to the sin bin.
Full-back Lamont was stretchered off after his left leg was caught in the turf as he slid in to challenge for a loose ball, quickly followed by lock Hines being shown a yellow card a dangerous tackle on Gonzalo Tiesi.
Inside centre Rodriguez drilled over the resulting penalty to get Argentina on the board, the start of a sustained period on the attack for the visitors.
Comeback
The extra man allowed the Pumas to assert themselves at the scrum, eventually earning another penalty right in front of the posts. Rodriguez made no mistake to level the scores at 6-6 entering the final quarter.
Hines did not return from his 10-minute stint in the sin bin, Robinson instead choosing to send on Jason White in the second row for the final 20 minutes.
Argentina had the first chance to break the deadlock but Rodriguez missed a penalty chance from the touchline in the 69th minute.
The visitors continued to press and were rewarded two minutes from time with the decisive drop-goal.
After stealing Scotland's ball at the lineout, Argentina's forwards drove up the middle to set up Rodriguez in prime position to slot over the winning points.
The victory is Argentina's fourth straight success at Murrayfield, a streak that began 19 years ago, and their eighth win in nine Tests against Scotland.
